Power Edge - Ability ID 658

In-Game Description

"Keen Edge moves target Special Defense and get a 1.3x boost."

Extended In-Game Description

For use in Elite Redux extended ability UI (IMPORTANT: exactly 280-300 chars counted WITH spaces)

Power Edge enhances all slashing attacks by 30% while forcing them to target Special Defense instead of Defense. This transforms physical slashing moves into mixed attackers that exploit weaker special bulk. Perfect for breaking through defensive walls.

Character count: 290

Detailed Mechanical Explanation

For Discord/reference use

Core Mechanics

Power Edge provides two key benefits to moves with the FLAG_KEEN_EDGE_BOOST flag:

1. Damage Boost: 1.3x (30%) damage multiplier, identical to Keen Edge
2. Defense Targeting: Forces slashing moves to target Special Defense instead of Defense

Technical Implementation

constexpr Ability PowerEdge = {
    .onOffensiveMultiplier = KeenEdge.onOffensiveMultiplier,
};

The ability inherits Keen Edge's damage multiplier and adds Special Defense targeting through the battle engine's stat calculation system.

Activation Conditions

• Move must have the keen_edge: true flag in its definition
• Works on both physical and special slashing moves
• No additional requirements - effects are always active when using eligible moves

Key Differences from Keen Edge

Power Edge vs Keen Edge:

• Damage Boost: Both provide identical 1.3x multiplier
• Stat Targeting: Power Edge forces Special Defense targeting, Keen Edge uses normal Defense
• Strategic Focus: Power Edge breaks special walls, Keen Edge pressures physical walls

Complete List of Affected Moves

All moves that work with Keen Edge also work with Power Edge, but with Special Defense targeting:

Classic Slashing Moves:

• Slash - Always crits, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Night Slash - High crit ratio, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Leaf Blade - High crit ratio, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Razor Leaf - Always crits, hits both foes, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Fury Cutter - Multi-hit with increasing power, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• False Swipe - Can't KO, 50% bleed chance, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost

Specialized Cutting Moves:

• Air Slash - 30% flinch chance, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Psycho Cut - Psychic blades, high crit ratio, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Cross Poison - Hits twice, high crit, 10% poison, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Sacred Sword - Ignores stat changes, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost
• Razor Shell - 50% Defense drop chance, targets Special Defense, 1.3x boost

Elemental Blade Moves:

• Cryo Blade - Ice slashing, 10% frostbite chance, targets Special Defense
• Shock Blade - Electric slashing, 10% paralysis chance, targets Special Defense
• Flame Blade - Fire slashing, 10% burn chance, targets Special Defense
• Stone Axe - Rock slashing, sets Stealth Rock, targets Special Defense
• Steel Blade - Steel slashing, 10% Stealth Rock chance, targets Special Defense

Strategic Advantages

Wall Breaking:

• Physical Walls: Power Edge completely bypasses high Defense stats
• Mixed Attackers: Physical slashing moves become pseudo-special attacks
• Stat Distribution: Exploits Pokemon with high Defense but low Special Defense
• Defensive Typing: Type resistances still apply, but defensive stats are circumvented

Offensive Pressure:

• Immediate Impact: No setup required, works from turn one
• Unpredictable: Opponents may expect Defense targeting, not Special Defense
• Crit Synergy: High crit rates of slashing moves amplify Special Defense targeting
• Coverage: Wide variety of slashing moves across multiple types

Interactions with Other Abilities

Related Abilities:

• Keen Edge: Standard version that targets Defense normally
• Power Fists: Equivalent effect for punching moves instead of slashing moves
• Exploit Weakness: Targets the lower of Defense/Special Defense for all moves
• Roundhouse: Similar concept but for kicking moves with perfect accuracy

Synergistic Abilities:

• Mystic Blades: Converts physical slashing moves to special, stacks with Special Defense targeting
• Sweeping Edge: Makes slashing moves hit both opponents, both get Special Defense targeting
• Molten Blades: Adds burn chance to Special Defense-targeting slashing moves

Common Users and Strategies

Ideal Pokemon:

• Physical Attackers: High Attack stat Pokemon that can exploit Special Defense
• Mixed Attackers: Pokemon with decent Attack that want to pressure special walls
• Crit-focused Builds: Pokemon that can take advantage of high crit rate slashing moves

Team Roles:

• Wall Breaker: Specifically targets special defensive walls
• Physical Sweeper: Enhanced offensive presence against defensive teams
• Late-Game Cleaner: Cuts through weakened special walls

Example Damage Scenarios

Vs Blissey (High Special Defense but still targeted):

• Slash (70 BP): 91 effective BP targeting 10 base Defense instead of 135 base Special Defense
• Result: Massive damage increase despite high Special Defense

Vs Skarmory (High Defense):

• Leaf Blade (90 BP): 117 effective BP targeting 70 base Special Defense instead of 140 base Defense
• Result: Nearly double damage output

Vs Balanced Defenders:

• Air Slash (75 BP): 97.5 effective BP targeting Special Defense
• Still benefits from 30% boost while potentially hitting weaker defensive stat

Counters and Limitations

Defensive Counters:

• Special Walls: Pokemon with high Special Defense can still tank boosted slashing moves
• Type Resistances: Resisting the slashing move's type provides significant damage reduction
• Abilities: Filter, Solid Rock, and similar damage-reducing abilities still apply

Offensive Counters:

• Priority Moves: Fast revenge killing before Power Edge user can sweep
• Status Effects: Burn still reduces physical Attack stat for slashing moves
• Stat Drops: Intimidate, Swagger, and similar Attack-reducing effects

Strategic Limitations:

• Move Dependence: Only works with specific slashing moves
• Type Coverage: Limited to types that have access to slashing moves
• Physical Attack Reliance: Still uses physical Attack stat for damage calculation

Competitive Viability

Advantages:

• Meta Disruption: Forces opponents to rethink defensive strategies
• Immediate Power: No setup required for significant damage boost
• Versatility: Works with variety of slashing moves across multiple types
• Surprise Factor: Unexpected Special Defense targeting can win key matchups

Considerations:

• Move Pool Dependency: Requires access to good slashing moves
• Specialized Role: Most effective against teams with physical walls
• Coverage Gaps: May struggle against Pokemon that resist slashing move types

Version History

• Introduced as part of Elite Redux's expanded ability system
• Provides same damage boost as Keen Edge with Special Defense targeting
• Works with all existing and future moves flagged for Keen Edge compatibility
• Complements the physical-to-special targeting ability theme in Elite Redux